Gourmet lunch

A gourmet lunch turns the midday meal into an experience in its own right. With Sezame, discover a selection of hotel restaurants in Paris and across France without booking an overnight stay. A menu in several courses, seasonal cooking, lunch with champagne or a moment combining dining and wellness: compare prices, inclusions and times to choose your outing.

Why choose a gourmet menu at lunchtime?

Take time to settle in, discover a starter, let the dishes arrive and savour dessert: a gourmet meal gives a different rhythm to the lunch break. The pleasure comes from the flavours, but also the dining room, service and pace of the meal. For an occasion together or a gathering with friends, the setting is part of the experience.

A lunchtime menu lets you discover a chef’s cooking through a clearly described experience. Some menus feature three courses; others offer a tasting journey in several stages. Look at what is included: the number of courses, drinks and any additional services matter as much as the displayed price.

A chef’s skill is expressed through precise cooking, textures and combinations of flavours. Let the character of the menu and the team’s explanations at the table guide your discovery.

Cooking also changes with the seasons. Ingredients, recipes and accompaniments can evolve with market arrivals. This element of discovery is part of the culinary journey: rather than expecting a particular dish throughout the year, check the menu presented when you book.

A luxury hotel and a Michelin-starred restaurant describe two different characteristics. If a Michelin Guide distinction matters to your choice, check the restaurant’s current recognition. Our selection describes Sezame experiences and their inclusions; it does not award stars to the venues featured.

To explore more restaurants and cooking styles in the capital, discover our gourmet restaurants in Paris. For your lunchtime outing, start with the experience that suits your tastes: an Italian restaurant, a discovery menu or a gourmet escape elsewhere in France.

Our selection of gourmet lunches in Paris and across France

Sofitel Le Scribe: a five-course discovery

The Great Table: Lunch or Dinner — Price: €85 per person.

At Rivages restaurant, beneath a bright glass roof, chef Martin Simolka creates a five-course discovery menu: amuse-bouche, starter, fish, meat and dessert. The restaurant’s cooking follows market arrivals and the seasons, with attention to local producers and responsible fishing.

This address in the Opéra district serves lunch from noon to 2 pm, Monday to Sunday, for a maximum of ten guests. Choose it for a tasting journey in the heart of Paris.

Grand Hôtel Champs-Élysées: lunch and champagne

Champagne & Culinary Creation Lunch — Price: €66 per person.

At La Place restaurant, the experience brings together a seasonal lunch menu and a glass of champagne. The setting at Grand Hôtel Champs-Élysées combines tradition and modernity in Paris’s Golden Triangle.

The experience page presents this lunch for a business meeting or time with friends. Check the calendar to choose your date and read the menu information before booking this gourmet break on Avenue Marceau.

Splendide Royal Paris: Italian flavours for two

Italian Flavors Lunch — Price: €120 for two people.

This experience includes a three-course Italian menu, with a starter, main course and dessert, plus water and a hot drink. It is offered Wednesday to Saturday, and the menus change with the seasons.

On Rue du Cirque, Splendide Royal Paris offers an intimate setting in a former private mansion. Its Tosca restaurant celebrates contemporary Italian dining. Discover it for a refined meal together at a discreet address in the 8th arrondissement.

Villa Gallici: a gourmet escape in Provence

Gourmet Escape — Price: €220 per person.

In Aix-en-Provence, the experience includes a gourmet lunch with a starter, main course and dessert at Taula Gallici restaurant, excluding drinks. It adds two hours of wellness access, including a hot tub, sauna, cryotherapy and heated outdoor pool.

The setting brings together Provence and Italian influences in an intimate atmosphere. Choose this experience if you would like to extend your meal with relaxation; compare its inclusions with those of a restaurant lunch alone.

Manoir de Kerbot: dining and wellness in Brittany

Wellness Break & Lunch — Price: €129 per person.

In Sarzeau, the experience combines a starter and main course or a main course and dessert, plus a glass of champagne, with 45 minutes of wellness access and a one-hour massage. A hot tub, steam room and sauna are listed among the inclusions.

The experience is offered at lunchtime from Thursday to Saturday. The Manoir’s gastronomic restaurant celebrates seafood and the local Breton terroir: an escape beyond Paris that brings refined lunch and relaxation together.

How should you choose a restaurant, menu and wine list?

Start with the format of the meal. A three-course menu follows a clear progression from starter to main course and dessert; a five-course menu offers more stages. For a first culinary journey, choose according to your curiosity and the time you want to spend at the table.

Then compare prices on the same basis. A per-person price and an experience for two guests require different comparisons. Check the included drinks, possible supplements and wellness services: these change the content of the experience.

Read the wine list separately. An included glass of champagne, water or a hot drink does not mean a wine pairing is provided. If you would like a pairing with each dish, ask about the available options and their prices before making your choice.

Individual tastes also guide the discovery. Do you enjoy citrus acidity, aromatic spices, a delicate sauce or the vegetal notes of asparagus? Check the current menu to understand the style of cooking. These examples describe preferences, not the dishes included in the experiences above.

You can discuss a preference for pickles, a particular cooking style or a less sweet dessert with the team when booking. Communicate allergies and dietary restrictions in advance and check the available adaptations. Do not assume that every discovery menu can be changed.

The decor gives lunch a different character. A bright glass roof, a softly lit room, a garden setting or materials such as wood create different atmospheres for conversation. Look at the venue’s photos and description to choose the mood you want.

In Paris, consider the neighbourhood and journey alongside the food. An address near Opéra or the Champs-Élysées can be part of a day exploring the city. If you plan to visit the Eiffel Tower afterwards, check the journey from the restaurant rather than assuming a view of the monument.

For a business lunch, choose a time compatible with your appointments and ask about the pace of service. A menu in several courses calls for a proper break. The aim is for everyone to enjoy the meal without watching the clock between dishes.

For a birthday or a meal for two, the setting can become the main consideration. An intimate table or an experience with champagne gives the outing a different mood. Check that both guests can book the same slot and that the price covers your party.

Finally, distinguish lunch alone from an experience combining dining and relaxation. A splunch brings spa access and lunch together; facilities and duration depend on the experience. If you prefer a format combining sweet and savoury dishes, compare our luxury brunch experiences. For an evening outing, also discover our hotel dinner experiences.

Book or give a gourmet lunch with Sezame

On Sezame, choose your destination, number of guests and preferred experience. Open the experience page to read the described menu, price and inclusions, then check available times. This lets you compare specific services before booking your gourmet lunch.

The description and practical information contain the details you need: address, available days, times, participants and terms. A hotel may have several restaurants, so identify the venue named in your experience. The prices presented here are those displayed when checked and may change.

To give a shared moment, explore the gifting option on your chosen experience page. The recipient can plan their outing according to that experience’s terms. There are many occasions to choose from: a birthday, a thank-you, a celebration together or the discovery of a cuisine you have wanted to try.

After booking, keep the confirmation in your email inbox. It contains the information you need for your visit. Read the experience’s change and cancellation terms, and contact the relevant service if a practical detail needs clarification.